Mayhem: It Will Be an Honor to Beat Up Simpson

The host of MTV’s “Bully Beatdown,” Miller is one of MMA’s most
colorful personalities. He’s also a very good fighter finally set
to return to the UFC when he meets Aaron
Simpson on July 2 at UFC
132.

“I think it’s really cool to kind of come full circle,” Miller said
recently during a “Savage
Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “I kind of
started out living in my van [while training in Huntington Beach,
Calif.], and now I drive my nice car over there and I’m like,
‘yeah, buddy, I don’t got to brush my teeth at the gym.’ ... I
don’t have to go hold pads for a fat lady for an hour each day.
That’s a good thing, but at the same time, I wouldn’t trade that
for anything.”

Miller won’t forget those days either. They were rough but
formative.

“I remember [being] a young guy and I have no money and nobody
cares, nobody gives a damn,” he said. “You’re just some knucklehead
fighter who nobody cares about. You have to clean the mats to pay
for your training because you don’t have any money to pay the
trainers. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now when I see young
bucks in here, I invite them in and make sure to work with those
guys. I can get something from them. They’re tough and they’re
good. I have a lot more experience than they do, but they can bring
that enthusiasm that keeps me excited about my career.”

Miller’s career took an interesting turn recently when he was moved
from Strikeforce to the UFC. His bout against Simpson will be his
first in the Octagon since April 2005.

“They gave a list of guys and there were probably guys I could have
beat easier, but screw that, man,” Miller said. “They’re giving out
‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses. They’re giving out ‘Submission of the
Night’ bonuses. They’re giving out ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonuses.
I’d like to be the first to get all three.”

Although Simpson has a strong wrestling pedigree, Miller thinks he
will come out slugging.

“I expect him to try to come in and try to hit me with that [big]
right hand,” Miller said. “Luckily I’ve sparred with Dan
Henderson for years, so I’m pretty good with not getting hit
with the right hand. He can throw that thing. He’s a strong dude.
He’s well rounded. He can wrestle and everything. He’s good at
everything. I’m expecting a fantastic fight.”

Fans should too. Simpson is an aggressive fighter, and Miller is
always entertaining.

“He’s tough everywhere,” Miller concluded. “It’ll be an honor to
beat him up.”